8am

I’m up out of the bed and the first thing I do is to drink a pint of water. Next I get myself a macchiato coffee and then go for my walk.

10am

I have people staying with me and cook the breakfast for all nine of us. I love to cook and have always been into healthy eating and good nutrition.

I eat some scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and I make myself another macchiato using my Gaggia. I have a passion for good coffee and actually own three different types of coffeemakers. I also make sure to take my fish oil capsules, vitamin D and chromium at breakfast.

I start packing the car with the clothes I will need for tonight’s gig.

12.30pm

I bring my two younger children down to my ex-husband’s in Bray and then drop my father to Heuston Station before driving down to Cork.

6pm

We are running early so there is time for us to stop at the Cashel Palace for food. I have another espresso with a drop of milk and also order a chicken fillet and a mixed green salad without any dressing.

I would normally eat three meals a day but today the large chicken meal keeps me going. On days when I find I’m hungry between meals, I will snack on deli meat like sliced chicken breast. I also love celery with peanut butter.

Last year, I’d noticed I had been craving Coca Cola after my gigs. Because I actually hate the stuff, I got concerned and thought I should go and get my sugar tested.

In October, my blood sugar tested high. At that point I decided to cut out all sugar. Aside from overindulging at Christmas, I haven’t been eating any sugar, bread or potatoes since October, in an attempt to regulate my blood sugar levels. I will now use Xylobrit for recipes like muffins.

7pm

We do our soundcheck then I dress and put on my make-up. There’s still time to relax for a few minutes.

8pm

We’re on stage. I have been drinking tap water all day and also bring a pint glass up on to the stage with me. I get through about a litre-and-a-half each day.

9pm

During the 15-minute break I drink more water. These days, I don’t nibble on anything during the interval.

10pm

After the show, I meet and greet the audience and sign CDs and books. It’s a nice way to end the night.

11pm

We drive to a hotel in Cork city where we’re staying the night, and once I’m in my room, I go straight to bed.

Mary Coughlan performs with the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra in the National Concert Hall, Sunday March 27

nancyprevis@independent.ie

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